Google Putting ‘Finishing Touches’ To Maps App – Report

Google is said to be putting the “finishing touches” to a Google Maps application that will work on iPhone, following Apple’s controversial decision to drop the service this year.

As Digital Spy reported citing The Wall Street Journal, a test version of the Google Maps app has been given to some individuals within the company. It cites “a person with direct knowledge of the matter” as its source.

Google is said to be putting the “finishing touches” to the app before submitting it for approval to the Apple iTunes Store, the source said.

However, the Journal notes that it is “unclear exactly when that will happen”. The paper also did not indicate whether the app would be optimised for iPads.

There is also the question over whether Apple would approve the Google Maps app, as it would compete with its own Maps service that is pre-installed on iPads, iPhones and iPod Touch devices.

Apple and Google are locked in a battle for the digital maps market, which is considered a key growth area as people increasingly find places to visit, shop and eat on their mobile devices.